Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System
THE LARGEST CORAL BARRIER IN THE NORTH HEMISPHERE AND WESTERN HEMISPHERE
Belize has been blessed with an immense diversity of marine habitats, which has resulted in UNESCO having awarded the status of World Heritage to the Belize Barrier Reef. This coral barrier is the largest in the northern and western hemisphere, encompassing 185 miles of Belize turquoise waters.
Due to its complex development and its intricate habitats, the coral reef provides a crucial balance within the Mesoamerican marine system. The marine attractions are as varied as the natural formations that make up this coastal wonder. Near the reef you can find more than 100 species of coral, hundreds of species of fish and an abundant variety of marine life.
Due to the protection of the reef throughout Belize, the waters off the coast are a sanctuary for water sports enthusiasts. The reef is the main tourist destination of Belize, popular for diving and snorkeling, which attract a large number of visitors every year. The reef is also vital to the country’s fishing industry.
A large part of the reef is protected by the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, which includes seven marine reserves, 450 cays and three atolls. It has a total area of 960 square kilometers (370 square miles), including Glover’s Reef Marine Reserve, Great Blue Hole, South Water Caye Marine Reserve, Half Moon Caye Natural Monument, and the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. The cayes include: Ambergris Caye, Caulker Caye, Chapel Caye, Carrie Bow Caye, St. George’s Caye, English Caye, Rendezvous Caye, Gladden Caye, Ranguana Caye, Long Caye, Moho Caye, Blackbird Caye, Three Corner Caye, Northern Caye, Tobacco Caye and Sandbore Caye.
If you are an expert, or there is an activity that you always wanted to try but have not been able to do it, Belize has the providers and instructors that will guide you to explore the Belize Barrier Reef, which is the second largest coral reef system of the world after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
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